Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 291 Orochimaru's Bitter Smile

At this moment, the Earth Release clone - Rock Rock - was putting immense pressure on people.

Or rather, the heavy feeling brought by the chakra of Earth Release: Mass Technique, when Earth Release: Rock Clone was not restrained, made the mental state of several Anbu ninjas feel as if they were being crushed by several mountains, and they would die from mental collapse if they were not careful.

They had only ever felt this terrifying sense of oppression when the Third Tsuchikage unleashed his Dust Release chakra in a fit of rage.

Now that the Earth Release clone, Ishii, was unleashing such terrifying chakra, they instantly realized why Ishii was staying in the village instead of going to the battlefield.

Could it be...? The thought of successfully developing the Earth Release Clone - Stone Rock, a terrifying ninjutsu that the Third Tsuchikage had described as having power that would rival or even surpass the Tsuchikage himself, filled the group with excitement.

They all stared intently at the Earth Release clone, Shi Yan.

"You brat, you worried me to death!"

Ignoring the presence of several ANBU members, Hui Tu immediately threw himself into the arms of his Earth Release clone, Shi Yan. After spending the past two years together, the two had already established a relationship, but this was the first time they had embraced so tightly.

Earth Release clone - Shi Yan naturally didn't hold back, directly grabbing the two plump buttocks of the gray-earth beauty and enjoying the beauty's passion.

"I wonder if he will be furious if I reveal my identity and personally engage in a thrilling aerial battle with the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, and his beloved daughter."

"That scene would be very interesting!"

Holding the Third Tsuchikage's beloved daughter in his arms, the Earth Release clone, Ishii, was thinking about how to take revenge on the Third Tsuchikage.

Hehe... Shi Yan, the Earth Release clone, smiled inwardly. He was looking forward to the day when his main body would emerge from the Dragon Vein Loulan.

"Why!"

After hugging for a while, Gray Earth's excited mood calmed down a bit, and he immediately felt the heat coming from his two halves of his buttocks. He shouted and pushed away the Earth Release clone - Stone Rock.

"You...how did you become so bad!"

Hui Tu glared angrily at his junior brother. How come he never noticed before that this little rascal had this mischievous side? Who would grab a girl's butt right away?

Earth Release Clone - Shi Yan smiled knowingly and remained silent.

Hui Tu rolled his eyes, then leaned forward nervously and asked, "Junior Brother, have you successfully mastered your new ninjutsu?"

Several members of the ANBU were equally nervous, staring at the Earth Release clone - Shi Yan.

"Yes, it worked." Earth Release clone - Ishii nodded slightly.

"That's great!" Gray Earth finally let go of the last bit of worry in her heart. The pressure that had been building up for so long disappeared instantly. Overjoyed, she once again rushed up and hugged her Earth Release clone, Stone Rock.

However, this time she didn't give the Earth Release clone - Shi Yan a chance to hug her buttocks. She hugged her but quickly let go and pulled the Earth Release clone - Shi Yan back.

Along the way, the arriving ninjas, upon hearing that the commotion had been caused by an Earth Release clone—Ishii, all showed expressions of displeasure.

Several members of the Anbu wanted to explain the successful development of a new ninjutsu by the Earth Release clone, Ishii, but their special status prevented them from speaking out, so they could only watch as this unfolded.

The group only hoped that the new ninjutsu developed by the Tsuchikage's young apprentice would live up to the Tsuchikage's evaluation and resolve the village's current predicament as soon as possible.

Earth Release clones - Ishii and Ash returned home, took a shower, changed into Iwagakure-style ninja vests, dressed neatly, took their ninja tool bags, and then went out for breakfast together.

On the way, the appearance of the earth-escape clone, Shi Yan, for the first time in two years completely ignited the anger of the villagers.

However, because of the presence of Hui Tu, they only dared to talk and not actually take action.

"Don't worry about it. Their children have all gone to the battlefield, so it's normal for them to have some complaints about you."

Hui Tu was afraid of the Earth Escape Clone - Shi Yan's mentality was affected, and he spoke out about the reason for the villagers' anger.

Hateful people must have pity.

What Hui Tu meant was to let his Earth Release clone, Shi Yan, understand that these people didn't need to be bothered.

Earth Release Clone - Ishii outwardly nodded as if he didn't care, but in his heart he had already made up his mind that once the Ninja World War ended and he took the position of Tsuchikage, these villagers would feel his warm care as the Tsuchikage.

After breakfast, the two went to the Tsuchikage Building to meet with the advisor elder and ask him which front in Iwagakure was currently the most troublesome.

"The situation is most critical on the Cloud Village front, but the other two fronts are doing alright."

On the Sunagakure side, after Li Yao's Wind Release clones withdrew most of the Sunagakure's fighting force, leaving only Rasa to stabilize the situation, the overall situation on that side was stable.

The situation is the same in Konoha. Konoha is too busy to help itself and is lucky to be able to maintain a stable relationship with Iwagakure. It will not send a large number of troops to Iwagakure.

On the Cloud Village side, however, the Third Raikage was like a mad dog, relentlessly attacking any Iwagakure he encountered.

The key is that the Third Raikage, who can now fly, is virtually invincible, and he and the Cloud Ninja are like a dagger piercing deep into the Land of Earth.

If the Third Raikage were to break into the vicinity of Iwagakure...

At that time, if other ninja villages saw an opportunity to destroy Iwagakure, there was a high probability that they would turn around and wipe out Iwagakure first before considering anything else.

It can be said that whether or not they can stop the Third Raikage's advance is the key to the survival of Iwagakure.

"Understood, we'll head to support the Cloud Shadow Front now."

Earth Release Clone - Ishii Ichisho, facing the Third Raikage was exactly what he wanted.

The Water Release clones have arrived at the battlefield between Konoha and Kumogakure, using their soul perception to keep track of Obito's situation. Once Obito is taken away by Madara Uchiha, the Third Raikage can die.

"Let's go, senior sister."

Emerging from the Tsuchikage Building, Earth Release clone Ishii lightly patted Haito's shoulder, applying the Super Light Rock Technique to him. The two immediately took to the sky, heading towards the battlefield between Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

at the same time.

In a dense forest on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, Orochimaru's stronghold was also greeted by a reinforcement force led by his Lightning Release clone, White Fang.

"Distribute them."

After handing over the kids whose faces were starting to show signs of pre-battle anxiety to the appropriate ninjas, Lightning Release clone White Fang and Orochimaru walked into the makeshift tent together.

"It's been a long time, Zuoyun-kun."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse as he stepped aside and said, "Please sit down."

Lightning Release clone - White Fang sat cross-legged on a futon on the ground, while Orochimaru sat down on a futon across a small table.

Lightning Release Clone - White Fang laughed: "It's been a long time, Orochimaru-kun. I didn't expect you to have mastered the First Hokage's Wood Release technique. The reputation of the leader of the Sannin is now renowned throughout the ninja world."

Both were renowned strongmen who rose to fame during World War II and were classmates at the Ninja Academy. Although they were in different classes, they were both known as geniuses from a young age and had sparred with each other quite a bit during their time at the Ninja Academy.

So we were quite familiar with each other, and there wasn't much of a sense of distance when we met again.

Hearing the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, praise him so highly, Orochimaru gave a wry smile and sighed, "Sakumo-kun, you don't need to flatter me. I still can't do anything about that Sunagakure brat."

Not only was there no way to defeat him, but later Orochimaru even lost track of whether he was fighting Sasori's true form or a puppet.

Since that close-quarters battle where he cut off Sasori's arm, Orochimaru has never seen Sasori's true form again in subsequent battles.

What always appears before him is a black sphere encased in iron sand, which controls the Iron Sand Lightning Realm to fight him.

What's even more frustrating is that, after a year of fighting, his Wood Release power has barely increased, and he still can't withstand Sasori's Sand Iron Lightning Boundary attack.

It was precisely because he couldn't withstand Sasori's attacks and could only rely on the powerful regenerative ability of his Wood Release cells to keep pulling against Sasori that the entire Land of Rivers was defeated and forced to its current border.

This was a significant blow to Orochimaru, who was always arrogant.

"It seems that Sasori of the Red Sand is indeed a bit troublesome!" Lightning Release clone - White Fang laughed.

"Yes." Orochimaru nodded in agreement, then smiled and said, "It's good that you're here now, Sagumo-kun."

Given Zuo Yun's speed, the two of them working together could very well take down that Sunagakure brat. The key is to find out the brat's true form.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru discussed the next battle with his Lightning Release clone, White Fang. White Fang would watch from the sidelines to see if he could find Sasori's true form and launch a sneak attack to kill him in one blow.

"Okay." Lightning Release clone - White Fang agreed.

Although he was confident that he could defeat Sasori with his Lightning Strike, he did not intend to defeat Sasori now. He would just keep the battle line in order to continue to put pressure on Konoha.

We'll talk about everything after Obito awakens the Kamui Sharingan.

(End of this chapter)